Over 300,000 flee California wildfires

WASHINGTON, October 23 (RIA Novosti) - Over 300,000 people in the south of California were forced to flee their homes as wildfires continue to ravage the U.S. state's Los Angeles region, local media said on Tuesday.

So far at least one person has died and over 20 have been injured in the three-day blaze, mass media reported.

A total of 14 fires have destroyed some 1,000 buildings and over 1,100 square kilometers (683 miles) of forest.

President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in seven counties in California and issued financial aid to victims. In addition, helicopters and extra firefighting units, as well as a total of 25,000 folding beds and blankets, have been sent to the fire-hit region.

The affected area is where many celebrities have their homes, including actor Mel Gibson and musician Sting. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the current blaze represented a "tragic time" for California.

In October 2003, the Cedar fire in California claimed the lives of dozens of people, destroyed 3,000 buildings, causing some $1 billion in damage.